Game apparatus



1N0 Model.)

M. T. WHEELER.

. GAME APPARATUS.

No. 370,224. Patented Sept. 20, 1887.

W y? x UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

MERITT '1. WHEELER, OF TROY, PENNSYLVANIA.

GAME APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 370,224, dated September 20, 1887. Application filed January 31, 1887. Serial No. 226,190. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, MERITT T. IVHEELER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Troy, in the county of Bradford and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gaming Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Myinvention relates to that class of gaming apparatus in which small balls-- such as marbles-are used in connection with mallets or other similar devices for the purpose of affording an amusing toy; and my invention consists in certain peculiar andnovel features of construction and arrangement, as hereinafter described and claimed.

In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to describe it with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of the board used in connection with myimproved apparatus. Fi g.

2 is an edge view of the same. Fig. 3 is a detached view of one of the brackets for supporting the pockets of my improved apparatus. Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate, respectively, a perspective and a sectional view of a receptacle for containing a compound to be applied to the surface of the board.

In the said drawings, A designates a base or board of circular or disk form, and Z) I) b designate three pieces of wire, which are bent to conform to the shape of the margin of the board A, and which are bent at their ends, as shown at c 0 0 so as to enter said board near its margin, spaces X Y Z intervening between the contiguous ends of the said wires. At the points X Y Z are placed pockets d d (1*, each of which is of cup shape and supported by a semicircular bracket, 6. Each end of these brackets is bent outward to enter a staple, f, which is forced into the margin of the board A, there being two of such staples for each bracket 6.

Upon the upper side of the board A are placed a series of vertical pins, f, which are disposed concentrically to the center of said board, but which do not form a complete circle around the center of the board, a space, indicated by the figures 1, 2, being left in said circle for the entrance of a ball while the game is being played.

G G G designate a series of pins, which are disposed radially from the center of the board, so as to bisect each of the curved wires 1) b b", and said wires G G G are inclined in one direction, as shown, and the spaces between said wires are designated by numerals from 1 to 18, or otherwise, as desired.

In using this device a small ball or marble is to be placed at the opening marked X, and said ball is to be struck so as to be passed through the space marked 1 and thence either directly to the pocket marked Y or through the space marked 2, or otherwise, as the skill ofthe player may decide, the ball being finally forced into oneof the pockets. Any number of players mayjoin in the game, and it will be readily seen that much amusement will result to one or more players from the varying directions given to the balls.

The board A is to be made of wood or other material, and abox, H, is preferably employed for affording sufficient roughness to the board.

This box is preferably of the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and contains a composition for affording the desired friction between the balls and the base when the balls are forced over the board.

The board may be so constructed as to be set directly upon a table or other supporting structure, or it may be arranged to rest upon a pedestal or other independent support. In the first instance the board should be provided on its under side with suitable cleats toprevent warping, or when an independent support is used suitable means for leveling the board should be used.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with a circular base or board provided with a series of pockets upon its margin, and having a marginal border composed of a wire open or disconnected at points coincident to the position of said pockets, of a number of pins, part of which are arranged concentrically to the center of the board and the remainder of which are disposed radially outward from said concentric series or set, so as to divide the spaces inclosed by the wire margin between each of the openings thereof, for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with a circular base or board provided at its margin with a series of pockets and having a marginal border com- I posed of a wire open or disconnected at points coincident with the position of said pockets, ofa number of pins arranged in an open cir 

